Managing device functionality during predetermined conditions

ABSTRACT

Functionality of a mobile device depends on detected speed of the mobile device. Global positioning system (GPS) technology or tower triangulation may be used to estimate the speed of a mobile device. In addition, the geographic location of the mobile device may be estimated. A set of rules regarding when functionality of the mobile device should be limited is accessed and if the mobile device exceeds a threshold speed or is located in a restricted area, selected features of the mobile device are disabled. Incoming calls and outgoing calls may be restricted according to local regulations. Other features such as emergency dialing, hands-free operation of the mobile device, and playing audio files (e.g., MP3 music files) may remain functional regardless of the geographic location or estimated speed of the mobile device.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to mobile devices, and more particularly,to modifying the functionality of mobile devices under predeterminedconditions.

2. Description of the Related Art

Operating mobile devices (e.g., cellular telephones) under certainconditions may be dangerous or illegal. For example, it may be dangerousto use certain features of a cellular telephone while driving.Similarly, it may be illegal to operate a cellular telephone while in anairplane. If left to a user, rules and regulations may not be followedby the user regarding whether to operate a mobile device under suchconditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment for detecting predeterminedconditions using a satellite-based network and managing the use ofmobile devices in accordance with disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary environment for detecting predeterminedconditions using tower triangulation and managing the use of mobiledevices in accordance with disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a mobile device traveling into a restricted area inwhich features of the mobile device may be managed in accordance withdisclosed embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates a methodology for managing operation of a mobiledevice under predetermined conditions in accordance with disclosedembodiments; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of selected elements of a mobile device which,in accordance with disclosed embodiments, may have its functionalityaltered under predetermined conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

In one aspect, a mobile device is disclosed that is suitable forcellular communication. The mobile device includes a speed determinationsubsystem to estimate the speed of the mobile device and a processoradapted to disable at least one feature of the mobile device if thespeed exceeds a threshold speed. The speed determination subsystem mayinclude satellite-based global positioning (GPS) capability or mayestimate the speed of the mobile device using triangulation based oncommunication with radio towers. In some embodiments, the mobile devicefurther includes a navigation system that remains functional regardlessof the speed of the mobile device. The mobile device may further includean audio play subsystem that also does not have its features disabled ifthe mobile device exceeds a threshold speed. In some embodiments, thedisabled features include cellular communication, incoming callreception, or outgoing call dialing. In some embodiments, hands-freeincoming call answering or hands-free outgoing call dialing may remainfunctional. For safety purposes, some embodiments may not disableemergency number dialing such as 911 dialing. Other features that may bedisabled in some embodiments include sending or receiving text messagessuch as short messaging service (SMS) messages or e-mail messages. Themobile device may disable one or more features if the geographiclocation of the mobile device is within a restricted geographic areasuch as a school zone.

In another aspect, a method of providing wireless communication servicesis disclosed that includes dynamically estimating the speed of awireless communication device and modifying the availability of awireless communication service when the estimated speed exceeds athreshold speed. The method may further include dynamically estimating alocation of the wireless communication device and modifying availabilityof the wireless communication service depending on the location. In someembodiments, the availability of an emergency number communicationservice is maintained regardless of the estimated speed. In addition,the availability of hands-free features may be maintained regardless ofthe estimated speed. Estimating the speed of the wireless communicationdevice may be performed using GPS or tower triangulation, as examples.

In still another aspect, a communication system is disclosed thatincludes a speed determination system, a processor for modifying afeature set of a mobile device if the speed exceeds a threshold speed,and an automated notification system to provide an indication that thefeature set is disabled. The indication that the feature set has beendisabled may be provided to a user of the mobile device, provided to aperson that is attempting to call the mobile device, or provided toboth. The speed determination system may be local to the mobile deviceand may use GPS, tower triangulation, or both. Alternatively, the speeddetermination system may be integrated into or in communication with aprovider network that is remote from the mobile device, which may beenabled to receive speed data from the provider network. Thecommunication system may further comprise a position determinationsystem that estimates a geographic location of the mobile device.Depending upon the geographic location of the mobile device, a featureset may be disabled based on rules data relevant to the geographiclocation of the mobile device.

Disclosed embodiments relate to managing the operation of a mobiledevice (e.g., cellular telephone) based upon a determination of thespeed of the mobile device. As an example of an operation of the mobiledevice that is managed, the mobile device may be prevented fromreceiving or making telephone calls if the speed of the device exceeds apredetermined speed. The predetermined speed (i.e., threshold speed) maybe set to differentiate a person that is moving in automobiles, forexample, from a person that is riding a bicycle or train. As examples ofother cases, the estimated location of a mobile device may indicate aperson is off-road or riding a train, based on cross referencing theknown location of roads with the estimated location of the mobiledevice, and features of the mobile device may remain fully enableddespite that the mobile device is above a threshold speed.

Disclosed embodiments may uses GPS-based technology for determining thespeed of a mobile device. In the alternative or in addition to GPS-basedtechnology, tower triangulation using, for example, a cellular telephonenetwork may be used to estimate the speed of a mobile device. For towertriangulation, it would be ideal to use at least three towers toaccurately pinpoint a first location, a second location, and the time ittakes a mobile device to travel between the two locations. However, insome cases multiple towers may not be necessary to estimate that amobile device is exceeding a threshold speed.

In some embodiments, emergency calls such as 911 calls are allowedregardless of the speed of the mobile device. In addition, embodimentsin which the mobile device is a multi-function device that, for example,permits the playback of music, certain features of the mobile device mayremain enabled and certain features may be disabled. For example, sometelephone operations (e.g., manual dialing) may be disabled, whilehands-free operations are enabled. Further, functions for permitting theplayback of audio content may be enabled regardless of the speed of thedevice. Such features for allowing certain functionality from the mobiledevice regardless of speed may be subject to parental or administratorapproval. In some embodiments, a mobile device or provider network mayconsult a table of state or local regulations and turn OFF certainoperations only when required by law. For example, if Wyoming permitscell phone operation while driving, the device has telephone featuresthat remain operational on Wyoming highways but are turned OFF in otherlocations, such as in New York. Some embodiments may turn OFF allfunctionality in school zones. Embodied mobile devices may issuewarnings at high speeds instead of terminating operation, oralternatively, may power down completely at high speed. Such featuresmay be configurable by a parent, employer or other administrator.

Parents or other administrators may control whether an embodied mobiledevice remains operational under certain predetermined conditions. If aparent deems it acceptable for a child to talk on a cellular telephonewhile driving, the parent may configure the child's cellular telephoneto allow such operation. However, if a parent feels that sending textmessages or other text-based operations during driving is particularlydangerous, the parent may configure the child's cellular telephone ormobile device to restrict access to all text-based functionality at athreshold speed.

There are multiple methods that may be used to determine the speed of amobile device. First and second locations may be determined and the timeit takes for the mobile device to traverse the distance between thelocations may be used to calculate a speed. Accordingly, embodiedsystems for determining the speed at which a mobile device is travelingmay assume that the mobile device is on a road and cross referencedistance information associated with the road. The cross referenceddistance information can be used to determine the average speed at whicha mobile device is traveling.

In some cases, the mobile device may only have access to one or twotowers. In such cases, the speed in which a mobile device is travelingmay still be estimated in some situations. For example, if only onetower is in communication with the mobile device, a first and secondping signal may be sent between the mobile device and the tower and thetime difference for receiving the ping signals may be used to calculatethe speed of the mobile device relative to the tower. Such a system ofestimating speed using one tower only works well if the mobile device isheaded directly away from the tower. On the contrary, if the mobiledevice is headed in a perfect circle around the tower, the one towermethod of estimating speed works poorly because the time for the pingsignal to travel between the mobile device and the tower would bevirtually identical for each ping. If the mobile device is headed awayfrom the tower “at an angle,” and the angle is near enough to directlyaway from the tower to give an indication that the mobile device exceedsa threshold speed, then estimation of speed using one tower may be goodenough. For example, if the mobile device is traveling at 60 mph thetower, and the time difference between the first and second pingsindicates a speed of 40 mph, then the feature set could still bedisabled from the mobile device if the threshold speed were 30 mph. Insummary, using only one tower to estimate the speed of the mobiledevice, it is possible that it may yield erroneous results if thedirection of the mobile device approaches or simulates a circle aroundthe tower. Therefore, location sensing using a one tower approach wouldnot be very accurate. In some embodiments, a feature set is disabledbased on a determination or estimation that the mobile device is withina restricted area. If the restricted area includes the entire coveragearea of one tower, the feature set may correctly be disabled if it isdetermined that the mobile device is within the coverage area of the onetower.

If two towers are within range of the mobile device, the speed of themobile device may be estimated more accurately than using only onetower. Using a ping or pings sent between two towers and the mobiledevice may result in accurately determining the speed of the mobiledevice but not knowing in which of two areas the mobile device islocated. In other words, using only two towers, the same results frompinging may be calculated if the mobile device is moving in either oftwo lines that would be on opposite sides, and form a mirror image ofeach other, of a line between the two points. Again, location basedactions (e.g., disabling features of the mobile device based on itslocation) may be taken if both of the estimated locations of the mobiledevice are within a restricted area. If only one of the possiblelocations are within the restricted area, then the mobile device orprovider network may disable the feature set.

Modern mobile communication devices such as cellular telephones may beequipped with internal GPS functionality that works using orbitingsatellites. This capability may be used by embodied systems to estimatethe location of the mobile device at two separate points, to estimatethe speed of the mobile device based on the time it takes to travelbetween the two points, to use the estimated speed to determine whethera feature set should be disabled based on the speed of the mobiledevice, and to act accordingly to disable the feature set according topredetermined rules. GPS systems may use triangulation methods similarto the tower triangulation methods disclosed and discussed above.

For triangulation using towers or satellites, each clock in everytransceiver may have to be synchronized very accurately. Serviceprovider towers (e.g., cell phone towers) and GPS satellites may havemultiple atomic clocks that serve as working clocks, backup clocks, andclocks for keeping the working clocks and backup clocks insynchronization. When a transceiver within either a tower, a GPSsatellite, or the mobile device receives a signal, a time included inthe signal is immediately recorded. The difference between the send timeand the current time is used to determine the time lapse between sendingand receiving the signal. For example, the transceiver might find thatthe lapse is 0.2 seconds. Using the formula of “distance=velocity*time,”with velocity through air for radio signals estimated at 186,000 mi/sec,a distance from the satellite is estimated at 37,200 miles for a traveltime of 0.2 seconds. After determining the mobile devices distance fromthree or more satellites, a mobile device can accurately determine thelatitude, longitude, and altitude of the mobile device. Altitude may beused to disable certain functionality of a mobile device during anairplane flight, for example.

In some cases, a unique identity number associated with a mobile deviceis uploaded through a satellite or tower-based system and used to accessa set of rules for the mobile device. In some cases, an administrator(e.g., an employer) may wish to disable a feature set (e.g., manuallydialing outgoing calls) for employees traveling more than 5 mph througha school zone. If an embodied system determines that a mobile deviceassociated with the unique identity number is traveling 10 miles perhour in a school zone, and the embodied system accesses rules set by theadministrator that the feature set should be disabled, the feature setincluding outgoing calls would be disabled until the employee isdetected to have slowed down, left the school zone, or both.

In the following description, examples are set forth with sufficientdetail to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice thedisclosed subject matter without undue experimentation. It should beapparent to a person of ordinary skill that the disclosed examples arenot exhaustive of all possible embodiments. As will be appreciated byone of ordinary skill in the art, the environments of the presentdisclosure may be systems, methods, data processing systems, and/orcomputer program products on tangible computer readable media. It shouldbe understood that methodologies and systems as disclosed herein may beimplemented by computer program instructions. The computer programinstructions may be provided to a processor of a general purposecomputer, special purpose computer, or other programmable dataprocessing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructionswhich execute via the processor create a means for implementing thefunctions specified in the flowcharts and/or block diagram blocksdisclosed herein. Disclosed embodiments may combine software andhardware aspects. Embodiments of the present disclosure may take theform of computer program products stored on computer usable storagemedia having computer-usable program code of instructions embodied inthe media. Any suitable computer readable media may be utilizedincluding hard disks, CD-ROMs, solid state memory, optical storagedevices, transmission media such as those supporting the Internet or anintranet, or magnetic storage devices. The programming code may executeon a computer associated within an automobile, entirely on board amobile device such as a smart phone, as a stand-alone software package,partly on a user's mobile device and partly on a service providernetwork's server, or entirely on a remote computer such as a serviceprovider network server. Regarding reference numerals used to describeelements in the figures, a hyphenated form of a reference numeral refersto a specific instance of an element and an un-hyphenated form of thereference numeral refers to the element generically or collectively.Thus, for example, element 101-1 refers to an instance of a satellite,which may be referred to collectively as satellites 101 and any one ofwhich may be referred to generically as a satellite 101.

FIG. 1 illustrates a mobile device 105 which has functionality that ismanaged based upon predetermined conditions in accordance with disclosedembodiments. Mobile device 105 includes a speed determination subsystem(not depicted) that estimates a speed of the mobile device. As shown,mobile device 105 is intended to be depicted within automobile 107.Therefore, if mobile device 105 is determined to be traveling at 45 mph,for example, it can be assumed that automobile 107 is also traveling at45 mph. Mobile device 105 uses GPS receivers (not depicted) to receivesignals from satellites 101. In some cases, mobile device 105 mayinclude an internal clock that is synchronized with internal clockscontained in satellites 101. As shown, mobile device 105 continuouslyreceives signals from satellites 101-1, 101-2, and 101-3. Based on thetimes at which such signals are received, a location determination unitwithin mobile device 105 may triangulate a location of mobile device105. By triangulating the location of mobile device 105 in two locationsand determining the time that it takes the mobile device to traverse thedistance between the two locations, a speed of mobile device 105 may beestimated. In other embodiments, satellites 101 may receive signals thatare transmitted by mobile device 105 and communicate with each other orwith base station 103 to estimate consecutive locations and accordingly,the speed of mobile device 105.

FIG. 2 illustrates an environment in which tower triangulation isconducted to estimate consecutive locations and the speed of travel ofmobile device 105, and consequently to calculate the speed of automobile107. Each tower 201 may emit a microwave signal or radio signal that isreceived by mobile device 105. Alternatively or in addition, each tower201 may receive a microwave signal or radio signal emitted from mobiledevice 105. In such a case, each tower 201 receives the signal at adifferent time, assuming the mobile device 105 is not exactlyequidistant from the towers 201. The time it takes for the signal toreach tower 201-1 may be used to calculate a circle around tower 201-1equal to the estimated distance of mobile device 105 from tower 201-1.Accordingly, circles may be “drawn” around every tower 201. As shown inFIG. 2, the intersection of the three circles is the location 207 ofmobile device 105. Using location 207, a previously calculated location209, and a time that it takes for the mobile device to travel betweenthe two distances, a speed detection system may accurately estimate aspeed for mobile device 105. Calculations and determinations using towertriangulation should occur rapidly enough to account for curves in aroad or differences in elevation that may otherwise skew results. Insome cases, speed determinations may be repeatedly made and an averagespeed may be used to determine whether to disable functionality ofmobile device 105. Also, it may be necessary to account for thereflection of signals using the tower triangulation method. Systems thatrely on tower triangulation methods may be confused by the reflection ofsignals from objects such as steel frame buildings, water towers,communication towers, and other such obstructions. For this reason, atleast two independent triangulation determinations should be made toconfirm the speed of the mobile device to ensure that a feature set isdisabled under the correct circumstances. Also, rule sets may be used todiscard obviously erroneous data. For example, if a car is calculated tobe driving at 400 mph, the data may be disregarded as obviouslyerroneous under a set of predetermined rules.

FIG. 3 depicts mobile device 105 (and automobile 107) traveling into arestricted area (i.e. school zone 301) in which features of the mobiledevice may be managed in accordance with disclosed embodiments. Asshown, school 303 is within school zone 301. Also, as shown at a firsttime, automobile 107 and mobile device 105 are outside of school zone301 (i.e., the restricted zone) at location 307. However, at a secondtime, mobile device 105 and consequently automobile 107 are determinedto be at location 309 within school zone 301. In response, a feature setof mobile device 105 may be disabled. In some embodiments, moduleswithin mobile device 105 or within a service provider network (notdepicted) in communication with mobile device 105 may access a databaseof local rules or restrictions regarding when certain functionality ofmobile device 105 is illegal. For example, if making or receiving anycalls is restricted for mobile devices (e.g., mobile device 105) withinschool zone 301 according to local ordinances, correspondingfunctionality of mobile device 105 may be disabled temporarily whilemobile device 105 is determined to be underway at any speed withinschool zone 301.

FIG. 4 depicts selected operations of an embodiment of a method 400 formanaging functionality of a mobile device under predeterminedconditions. As shown, method 400 includes dynamically estimating(operation 401) a speed of a wireless communication device. Theavailability of a wireless communication service is modified (operation403) when an estimated speed exceeds a threshold speed. A geographiclocation of the wireless communication device is estimated (operation405). The availability of wireless communication services is modified(operation 407) based in part on the estimated location. Theavailability of emergency number communication services is maintained(operation 409) regardless of the estimated speed of the wirelesscommunication device.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an embodiment of a mobile device 500 isillustrated. As shown, mobile device 500 includes processor 501 andgeneral purpose storage 517 connected to a shared bus. In accordancewith disclosed embodiments, processor 501 is adapted to disable at leastone feature of mobile device 500 if its speed exceeds a threshold speed(e.g., 35 mph). Storage 517 may include disk drives, non-volatilememory, and random access memory, as examples. Storage 517 may includean operating system and other computer readable instructions forproviding mobile device 500 with functionality for detectingpredetermined conditions and modifying the functionality of mobiledevice 500 or modifying a feature set of mobile device 500 based onrules regarding the predetermined conditions. Storage 517 may be usedfor storing a unique hardware address or globally unique identifier formobile device 500. As shown, mobile device 500 includes keypad 505 foraccepting user input for manually dialing a telephone number, forexample. Display 507 is enabled for displaying notifications, forexample, that functionality of mobile device 500 has been limited. Insome embodiments, display 507 is a touch screen used for receiving userinputs for dialing telephone numbers. Speaker 509 is for presentingaudio portions of received telephone calls and for presenting audiblewarnings, for example, to users of mobile device 500. Microphone 510, RFmodule 511, and GPS module 512 are included in mobile device 500 tosupport its combined functionality as a mobile telephone and navigationdevice. In some embodiments, GPS module 512 is used by speed detectionsystems and location detection systems to determine whether mobiledevice 500 should have its functionality altered. RF module 511, in someembodiments, is a receiver adapted to receive local regulation data thatis indicative of prohibited communication features. RF module 511 mayalso receive speed data regarding speed or velocity of mobile device 500as it is determined by a service provider network, a mechanical speeddetection device within an automobile, external speed detection devices,and the like. Similarly, network interface 515 may be a wired orwireless connection to an IP protocol network, for example, to allowmobile device 500 a further means for communicating or determining itslocation and speed. For example, network interface 515 may be used toestablish a Bluetooth connection or other type connection with a vehiclebased system for dynamically receiving the speed of mobile device 500.

Hardware identifier 513, as shown, is separate from storage 517, but maybe incorporated therein. Hardware identifier 513 may be an internationalmobile equipment identity (IMEI) or any number that is effectivelyunique to mobile device 500. Such IMEI numbers may be used by a contentprovider network to identify valid devices and to stop a stolen phonefrom accessing the network, for example. In addition, hardwareidentifier 513 may be used by a service provider network, in conjunctionwith a speed of mobile device 500, to determine whether mobile device500 should have its functionality in accordance with disclosedembodiments. For example, if an administrator registers mobile device500, which has a particular hardware identifier 513, as requiring textmessaging to be disabled at any speed, then a service provider mayremotely disable text messaging features of mobile device 500 or maywithhold sending text messages to mobile device 500 until mobile device500 is determined to be at rest. Mobile device 500 includes hands-freeinterface 597, which may retain its functionality to allow a user toperform hands-free operations including answering incoming calls anddialing outgoing calls, if allowed.

As shown, mobile device 500 includes speed determination system 582,navigation system 583, audio system 585, location determination system587, notification system 589, feature set module 580, and hands-freesystem 591. Speed determination system 582 and other elements withinstorage 517 may be a set of computer readable instructions stored oncomputer readable media (i.e., storage 517). Speed determination system582 communicates through GPS technology or tower triangulation throughnetwork interface 515 and/or RF module 511 to estimate the speed ofmobile device 500. Navigation system 583 may permit a user of mobiledevice 500 to receive point-to-point instructions. Such functionalitymay remain in place regardless of the speed of mobile device 500;however, input of addresses and other such features may be disabled atspeed. Audio system 585 may be used to play audio files at any speed insome embodiments. However, selection of audio files to be played, forexample, may be limited depending upon options that may be set infeature set 580 by an administrator, employer, or parent.

Feature set module 580 may embody a rule system for determining whethermobile device 500 is in a restricted area based on rules data relevantto an estimated geographic location of the mobile device. Accordingly,feature set module 580 disables certain features if mobile device 500 isin a restricted area or is traveling at or above a threshold speed. Insome embodiments, feature set module 580 permits emergency dialing(e.g., dialing 911) under any circumstance regardless of speed orgeographic location of mobile device 500. Location determination system587 may be used to determine multiple locations of mobile device 500,and the time between measurements may be used to estimate a speed ofmobile device 500. In accordance with disclosed embodiments, locationdetermination system 587 estimates a geographic location of mobiledevice 500, and processor 501 is adapted to disable at least one featureof mobile device 500 if the geographic location is within a restrictedgeographic area (e.g., a school zone). Hands-free system 591 may includefunctionality for hands-free dialing and hands-free answering, asexamples. Hands-free system 591 may also support audio system 585 forvoice-based selection of audio tracks to be played. Further, hands-freesystem 591 may support navigation system 583 for hands-free selection ofdestination points, for example. In this way, if feature set module 580is programmed to allow hands-free operation at speed, hands-free system591 may support voice recognition to permit the user of mobile device500 to accomplish allowed actions.

As shown in FIG. 5, integrated circuit (IC) 599 may include presentlyknown or later discovered circuit elements and sensors for determiningthe location and/or speed of mobile device 500. For example, it mayinclude accelerometers and other motion detection sensors thataccurately estimate speed and/or successive locations of mobile device500. Alternatively, it may detect movement through a static magneticfield (e.g., the Earth's magnetic field) to estimate the speed of mobiledevice 500. Such examples of the functionality of IC 500 are intended tobe illustrative and not limiting. As will be appreciated by those ofskill in the art, a location detection system or speed detection systemmay incorporate or access a GPS receiver that may be integrated into avehicle and/or into embodied wireless communication devices. In somecases, an embodied wireless communication device communicates withmechanical-based speed detection equipment in a vehicle or with vehiclebased GPS receivers. As used herein, the terms “wireless communicationdevice” or “mobile device” may include, but are not limited to, acellular wireless terminal with or without a multi-line display; aPersonal Communications System (PCS) terminal that may combine acellular wireless terminal with data processing, facsimile and datacommunications capabilities; a smart phone or a PDA that can include awireless terminal, pager, web browser, organizer, calendar and/or a GPSreceiver; a two-way wireless communication, a vehicle integratedcellular and/or satellite based wireless terminal that may include a GPSreceiver; and a conventional laptop and/or palmtop receiver or otherappliance that includes a wireless terminal transceiver. Wirelesscommunication devices or mobile devices may also be referred to as“pervasive computing” devices and may be mobile terminals. In certainembodiments, wireless communication devices or mobile devices includeantennas that can be configured to provide resonance for a GPS and thedevices can include a GPS receiver.

While the disclosed subject matter has been described in connection withone or more embodiments, the disclosed embodiments are not intended tolimit the subject matter of the claims to the particular forms setforth. On the contrary, disclosed embodiments are intended to encompassalternatives, modifications, and equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile device, comprising: a processor; andmemory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, causethe processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:retrieving parental controls governing operational features of themobile device; determining a location and a speed at which the mobiledevice travels; storing a database that associates different locationsto functional restrictions; querying the database for the location;determining the location matches a school zone in the database;retrieving an illegal functionality from the database that is associatedwith the school zone; determining the speed exceeds zero; disabling oneof the operational features of the mobile device that corresponds to theillegal functionality in response to the location matching the schoolzone at any speed; querying the parental controls for the speed at whichthe mobile device travels; retrieving parental rules associated withexcessive speed; and modifying another one of the operational featuresof the mobile device according to the parental rules.
 2. The mobiledevice of claim 1, further comprising a global positioning system moduleto receive global positioning system signals.
 3. The mobile device ofclaim 2, wherein the operations further comprise determining, from theglobal positioning system signals, the location of the mobile device. 4.The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the operations further compriseenabling hands-free operation regardless of the speed of the mobiledevice.
 5. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the operations furthercomprise disabling a manual incoming call answering feature.
 6. Themobile device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprisedisabling a call dialing by hand.
 7. The mobile device of claim 1,wherein the operations further comprise enabling emergency numberdialing regardless of the speed of the mobile device.
 8. The mobiledevice of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise enabling 911calls regardless of the speed of the mobile device.
 9. The mobile deviceof claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise disabling outgoingtext messages.
 10. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the operationsfurther comprise disabling incoming text messages.
 11. The mobile deviceof claim 4, wherein the operations further comprise: determiningestimated distances between the mobile device and a plurality ofcellular towers; and triangulating the location based on the estimateddistances.
 12. A method comprising: determining, by a processor,locations and an estimated speed at which a wireless communicationdevice travels; determining the locations encircle a coverage area of asingle cellular tower; retrieving from memory a threshold speed; storinga database that associates different locations to functionalrestrictions; querying the database for one of the locations;determining the one of the locations match a school zone in thedatabase; retrieving an illegal functionality from the database that isassociated with the school zone; determining, by the processor, theestimated speed exceeds zero; disabling one of the operational featuresof the mobile device that corresponds to the illegal functionality inresponse to the one of the locations matching the school zone at anyspeed; disabling a set of the operational features of the mobile devicein response to the locations encircling the coverage area of the singlecellular tower; retrieving parental controls governing operationalfeatures of the mobile device; querying the parental controls for thespeed at which the mobile device travels; retrieving parental rulesassociated with excessive speed; and modifying another one of theoperational features of the wireless communications device according tothe parental rules.
 13. The method according to claim 12, furthercomprising maintaining emergency calls to an emergency number regardlessof the estimated speed.
 14. The method according to claim 12, furthercomprising maintaining availability of hands-free features of thewireless communication device regardless of the estimated speed.
 15. Amemory storing instructions, which when executed by a processor, causethe processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:determining locations and an estimated speed at which a wirelesscommunication device travels; determining the locations encircle acoverage area of a single cellular tower; determining the speed exceedsa threshold; storing a database that associates different locations tofunctional restrictions; querying the database for one of the locations;determining the one of the locations match a school zone in thedatabase; retrieving an illegal functionality from the database that isassociated with the school zone; retrieving parental controls governingoperational features of the wireless communication device; disabling oneof the operational features of the mobile device that corresponds to theillegal functionality in response to the one of the locations matchingthe school zone at any speed; disabling a set of the operationalfeatures of the mobile device in response to the locations encirclingthe coverage area of the single cellular tower; querying the parentalcontrols for the speed at which the wireless communication devicetravels; retrieving parental rules associated with excessive speed; andmodifying another one of the operational features of the wirelesscommunication device according to the parental rules.
 16. The memory ofclaim 15, wherein the operations include maintaining availability of anemergency number communication service regardless of the estimatedspeed.
 17. The memory of claim 15, wherein the operations includemaintaining availability of hands-free features of the wirelesscommunication device when the estimated speed exceeds the thresholdspeed.